RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

            Hypothesis in research is called research hypothesis. It is the statements of relationship among variables observed during literature review and identified in theoretical model. These are unproved statements which could convince researcher due to some knowledge or arguments coming from his own mind. I call it unproved because he has not yet found convincing arguments for the other people in the related field of study in human society.

VARIABLES IN RESEARCH

Identification of variables is an essential step in research. Variables help researcher to design theoretical model. They pave the way towards the research objective. Variables are various target points in research framework. They are like buttons on Joy Stick which cause overall situation under investigation. Having good understanding and control over these points will help researcher to develop convincing arguments in favor of the research objective.

THEORETICAL MODEL

            Theoretical model is a concept framed in the researcher's mind. This is also known as theoretical framework. It involves all underlying factors (variables) identified during the exploratory stage or in the literature review. Theoretical framework is simplified model which excludes all unnecessary complexities of the real life situation and includes every relevant factors determine a specific situation. These models are the clusters of variables shown as interrelated factors to one another. The logical positioning among variables set the further direction in the research process. The immediate outcome of the theoretical framework is the formation of researchable hypotheses.

WHAT IS PROBLEM STATEMENT

          Problem statement is the concluding note of  literature review in chapter two of  research thesis. As we have already seen in literature review that researcher envisaged upon the discovery of all possible factors identified in past research efforts on the subject. The purpose is to bring discussion at the level where still gap could be realized between existing knowledge and the desired level on the subject.

WHAT IS LITERATURE REVIEW

Friday, July 6, 2012

          In chapter two researcher starts writing about the broad problem area and then narrows it down to the precise problem statement. Literature review is a mention of known theories on the subject, where researcher tries to explore the phenomenon to that extent which can justify current pursuit for new research. Researcher narrates past research efforts which have been discovered so far within the domain of current topic. 

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCING

          One important distinction between bibliography and referencing is necessary to explain. I have observed that many young researchers are applying these two terms side by side without understanding the difference between them. Referencing is the part of bibliography and both are located at the end of thesis or article. Bibliography is a list of sources which were consulted by the author to produce current document. It is a general list without specifying where any particular source was employed.

HOW TO WRITE RESEARCH PROPOSAL/SYNOPSIS

          Academic research is initiated with the development of research proposal. For young researchers and academicians this is first formal step to enter the research activity. Research proposal is a blueprint of the researcher’s idea. The length of this document ranges between 500 to 1000 words. But we cannot draw any hard and fast rule on this. It is subjective decision depending on the nature of area and level of research activity. 

WHAT IS PLAGIARISM

          Plagiarism is a term used is research and academic writing. It is considered a sin which any writer must avoid. Universities and schools try to educate young scholars how to avoid plagiarism during their assignments, and academic writing.Plagiarism, in simple words, is theft of ideas. If researcher employs others’ ideas or statements and making it his, it is plagiarism. But if researcher produces due acknowledgement to the true owner of the idea by quoting his name and work then it becomes reference which is not plagiarism.

FUNDAMENTAL STEPS IN RESEARCH PROCESS

          Research process starts once you are facing any unanswered question. These questions may cause confusion, anxiety, anger, or surprise you for something.. All such conditions of human behaviour are resolved by finding the answers to these questions, which invites researchers to follow formal procedure to investigate the case and bring out facts and underlying reasons:

For example, you might notice on any day during week an unusual turnover of customers in the store. This observation will create a research question in your mind.

INDUCTIVE AND DEDUCTIVE METHODS IN RESEARCH

       One of the most important and fundamental concepts is the application of inductive and deductive reasoning in research process. Research is not some thing which is always a formal activity associated with researcher. We throughout our life on every day engage in different thought processes where we interpolate or extrapolate the situation or phenomenon.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BASIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH

          Often students or new in research activities are interested to understand the difference between Basic and Applied research.
This difference is clear. There are two angles to look into this difference.
1. The hierarchical positioning of two concepts.
2. From the point of literary meanings

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RESEARCH, SEARCH, AND RE-SEARCH

          The very first question which comes to our mind is about the difference between Research and Search.
Generally speaking, “SEARCH” means looking for something, and by “RESEARCH” we may say it as looking into something. When we use concept of research in an academic activity, it involves both. Researchers not only find the missing links in their thoughts and so called hypothesis, but they also look into the matter to discover the justifications for their outputs.

FASCINATING WORLD OF RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC WRITING

          Anyone, who sets out on the journey of research and academic writing can face number of concepts, confusions, and technicalities.
          In the beginning the main questions would be like;

• Why we use word “Research” instead of “Search”?
• What is the difference between research and investigation?
• What is the difference between thesis and report? etc.